Junior Seau with Bette Hoffman, the head of his foundation, at Seau’s restaurant during a Legends Party kick-off to the Junior Seau Celebrity Golf Classic tournament.
/ Mike Norris

Last January, Junior Seau’s foundation director, in keeping with the popular football player’s mantra, “Be Your Best,” began assembling a team to join Sunday’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Bette Hoffman was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after Seau’s death. She wanted to honor his memory. That's when Team 55 (Seau’s jersey number) was born. Folks were urged to donate $55 to the cancer cause.

As of Wednesday, Team 55 had raised $39,511.55, with donations ranging from $55 to $550 to $5,555. One donor gave $10,000. It is the leading fundraising team.

Joining Hoffman at the head of the pack of about 100, will be Gina Seau, Junior’s ex-wife, and their four children. Gina had gone with Hoffman to every doctor’s appointment and sat through daylong therapy treatments.

Hoffman wore one of Junior’s knitted workout tuques to every chemo session. “Amazingly, my last chemo treatment was scheduled on May 2, the anniversary of the day he left us.” recalls Hoffman, now in remission. “I know Junior was with me all the way, telling me to be my best. I want to help those who do not have the support I did.”